PL
Russia is seen as a country which has taken an “aggressive turn” in its foreign policy, optingfor confrontation with the West. The essence of the problem, however, lies in the fact that itwas the United States who first revised its attitude towards the post-Cold War order. Thiscreates a web of mutual accusations and raises tensions in international relations. Russia,due to its transcontinental specifics, attaches special importance to the real balance of powerin the international system. It carefully guards its possessions, insists on its sovereignty andpolitical independence, opposes violations of norms of international law and the diktat of thestrongest power, which puts it head to head with the U.S. in different parts of the globe. Thefiercest confrontations are now taking place in Syria and Ukraine.Key words: Russia, “aggressive turn” in foreign policy, post-Cold War international order